Rodgers raps kid Sterling

Brendan Rodgers wants Raheem Sterling to sign a new contract with Liverpool

If you are 17 and are playing regularly, you would be very foolish not to commit yourself very quickly

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers

The Reds boss believes the teenage sensation needs to wake up and realise the Anfield club has given him the chance to be a star.

Sterling is eligible to sign his first proper long-term professional contract when he turns 18 on December 8.

The winger, 17, has been a revelation this season for the Reds and has already made his full England debut and his agents want that to be recognised.

Sterling, who joined as a 15-year-old for around £500,000 from QPR, is currently earning around £3,000 a week on his current deal, which expires in 18 months.

But the Jamaican-born teenager’s representatives have had initial discussions with managing director Ian Ayre and feel he should be earning as much as other England internationals Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson. That would mean

a deal of around £50,000 a week. But Liverpool want to keep his feet on the ground and offer closer to £20,000 initially, which would rise every 12 months of a five-year deal.

Rodgers is keen to tie up a deal as Chelsea – bossed by Rafa Benitez, who brought Sterling to Anfield in 2010 – and Manchester City monitor the situation.

The Kop boss said: “This club is going to give young players an opportunity.

“He has played more games than he could have dreamed of this season, both in the Premier League and the Europa League.

“Liverpool have given him the chance to become a full international player.

“This contract won’t be the biggest contract of his life. It is when he actually achieves something.

“If you are 17 and are playing regularly, you would be very foolish not to commit yourself very quickly. I am confident it will be sorted out soon.”

Rodgers hit out at Gareth Bale after the Tottenham midfielder was booked for diving, claiming if it had been Luis Suarez much more would be made of it.